Orange County Sex Crime Defense Attorneys
16 Tips You Need to Know Before Hiring Your Sex Crimes Attorney
When you or someone you love is facing sex-related criminal charges, it is imperative that you have an experienced sex crimes defense attorney fighting for you. The most important decision you will make is which sex crimes defense law firm to hire to help you. These 10 tips can help you make the most informed decision possible:
1. Look for a law firm with experience
How many years of experience does the law firm have successfully helping people facing charges of sex crimes? How much experience does the criminal defense firm have defending clients facing the specific criminal charges you are facing?
It is very important that the law firm you hire is familiar with the type of criminal charges you are facing. If you are considering hiring an attorney but you are not sure how much experience that attorney has, it is appropriate to ask the lawyer how many years of experience the firm has in handling sex crimes.
2. Read reviews and testimonials from former clients
Experience is crucial when hiring a law firm, but it is also important to hear from previous clients as to how the law firm handled their cases. You should review the criminal law firm’s website to find testimonials and case results. Ask the attorney where to go to find this information. In addition, check review sites such as Yelp and Google Plus to see what past clients are saying about the firm.
3. Check attorney ratings on Avvo.com and MartindaleHubbell.com
There are two recognized rating systems for lawyers that you should review before deciding which law firm to hire for your legal matter. They are Avvo.com and MartindaleHubbell.com.
An attorney’s Avvo rating is calculated using a mathematical model that considers the information shown in a lawyer’s profile, including the number of years the attorney has been practicing criminal defense, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Each lawyer is ranked from 1.0 to 10.0 (with 10.0 being a superb rating). Very few lawyers achieve a perfect 10.0 rating.
Martindale Hubbell is a trusted source that has been rating lawyers and law firms for many years. There are three possible ratings a law firm can receive from Martindale Hubbell. They are an “AV” rating, a “BV” rating and a “Rated” designation. An AV rating is the highest a law firm can achieve. To attain this rating, a firm must achieve excellence in defense of their clients consistently over a period of 10 years. The firm must also receive outstanding reviews from other lawyers, judges and past clients.
4. Find a firm with experience in the local courts
Experience is critical when hiring a sex crimes law firm. The law firm you hire should not only have years of experience defending people accused of sex crimes, but the firm should also have substantial experience in the court where your case is pending.
Each court has unique procedures and staff, so it is important that your lawyer is familiar with the local court. If your attorney knows the court procedures and how the judges and prosecutors operate at the court where your case is pending, it can give you a major advantage in your case.
5. Know if you’re hiring an attorney or a team of attorneys
When searching for a law firm, you will want to find one that employs multiple experienced sex crimes defense attorneys. Sex crimes can be very complicated. You will be much better off if you retain a law firm with multiple lawyers who have been defending people accused of sex crimes for years. A defense lawyer who works alone on your case or only with one partner will not be able to strategize the same way and may not have time to prioritize your case.
Additionally, if you hire a lawyer who is working alone, that lawyer will likely be handling many cases in different courts. This means that if your case is on calendar in one court, the lawyer may have another case to handle in another court on the same day. This will create a conflict for your attorney. He or she may have to send another lawyer to the court on your case who is unfamiliar with you and the facts of your case. If you hire a sex crimes defense law firm rather than a single attorney, you will know that one of the many lawyers in that firm will be on top of your case at all times. The attorneys at your law firm will be able to work as team and always be familiar with your case.
6. A first impression is a sign of things to come
Consider how easy it is to get a hold of a lawyer when you call the office for the first time. Were you able to receive answers to your questions over the phone or were you asked to leave a message? Did the lawyer call you back promptly or did you have to wait a lengthy period of time before you heard from the lawyer?
You will want your attorney to be responsive and respectful to your needs. A good law firm will understand what you are going through and will be there when you call for help. Your initial call to the law firm will be a good indication of the communication you will have with your lawyer during your case.
7. Communication is key
Going through the criminal process is going to be stressful. That is why you should hire a law firm that makes it easy for you to communicate with them and ask any questions you have. What hours can you reach the law firm? Does the firm have a lawyer on call in case of an emergency?
When you speak to an attorney on the phone, he or she should give you his or her email address and cellphone number. Your law firm should provide you with the email addresses of the lawyers and legal assistants who will be working on your case.
8. Be prepared to give your version of the events
Telling your side of the story is critical to any evaluation of your sex crimes case. That is why an experienced sex crimes defense law firm will ask you to do your homework.
You need to explain in detail what happened that lead to your arrest. You will need to also tell the law firm about your “social background” as well as provide a list of character witnesses who can attest to your good character. Finally, you will be asked to provide a list of potential witnesses that could assist your defense. You should not hire a law firm that does not ask you to prepare your homework.
9. Don’t expect a guarantee
If you are accused of a sex crime or looking for a law firm on behalf of a loved one who is facing sex crime charges, you are likely very scared. Unfortunately, some law firms will attempt to take advantage of your vulnerable state by guaranteeing you a certain result when talking to you.
Not only is an attorney lying to you by guaranteeing you a certain outcome in your case, making such promises is also against California State Bar rules. More importantly, no law firm can guarantee you any result because the actual outcome of your case will depend upon many factors that will unfold as your case progresses through the system. If an attorney guarantees you a result, you should question that attorney’s ethics and look to hire another law firm.
10. Compare prices and get it in writing
It is crucial that you understand how fees work within the law firm that you hire. If a law firm is quoting you a very low fee, you will want to investigate the experience of that law firm. On the other hand, just because a law firm is the most expensive does not mean that they are the most qualified to take on your case.
In addition, some lawyers will not explain how fees work and you will wind up paying more than you initially agreed to. Make sure the firm provides a signed, written contract before hiring the law firm. The retainer agreement should clearly spell out the terms of the contractual relationship. Feel free to discuss a fee schedule and payment plans with your attorney before entering into a professional relationship.
11. A psychological evaluation could help you win your case
Does the attorney know and understand the psychological evaluations that one can conduct on a defendant to show that he or she does not fit the sexual profile of someone that would commit this kind of an offense?
In many cases, the testimony of a psychological evaluator can mean the difference between winning and losing a case. Certain experts can be hired and tests can be conducted in order to show that you do not fit the profile of a sexual offender. The sex crimes attorney you hire should be familiar with this very important aspect of a sex crimes case.
12. Your attorney should be prepared to attack the evidence against you
Does your attorney understand and know how to attack any evidence against you the district attorney will try to introduce? Many issues may come up during an investigation or trial regarding evidence against you. The district attorney will try to show evidence of abuse.
An experienced attorney knows the law on what evidence may and may not be used against you. Your sex crimes attorney needs to have this knowledge in order to object to evidence that is wrongfully presented against you by the district attorney.
13. A sex crimes attorney should be familiar with the Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome
Is your attorney knowledgeable about the Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome and how a district attorney could attempt to use this as evidence against you? This theory is an effort to explain how children attempt to deal with sexual abuse. Developed in 1983 by Roland C. Summit, this theory involves five steps, which include secrecy, helplessness, entrapment and accommodation, delayed disclosure and retraction.
It is important that your sex crimes law firm is familiar with this theory so they can successfully defend you if the district attorney introduces this as evidence in your case.
14. Your attorney should be prepared to attack the credibility of the alleged victim
Is your attorney willing to investigate the alleged victim’s background in an attempt to attack their credibility? It is absolutely necessary that your attorney is willing to investigate the alleged victim in your case. By doing so, your sex crime attorney may be able to find a motive for the victim to lie or a history of cheating or criminal activity.
If you attorney is able to find that the alleged victim has a tendency or motive to lie, he or she will be able to establish the witness’ lack of credibility in court and use it as a tool in your defense.
15. Medical experts are vital to your defense
Other than calling character witnesses to the stand, your sex crimes attorney may seek testimony from medical experts who can discuss psychological disorders and validity of physical evidence of abuse. Expert witnesses may be able to help your case significantly as they may testify as to scientific inconsistencies in testimonies of other opposing witnesses.
You will want to make sure your attorney knows experts in all relevant areas to assist your case at trial, including psychologists to discuss mental state as well as medical doctors to refute the prosecution’s experts. Discuss with the sex crimes defense firm their access to medical experts before hiring them.
16. Your attorney should be familiar with the jury selection process
Does your attorney know and understand jury selection? Does your attorney know what kinds of jurors would be more understanding of the dynamics of your particular case?
If your case goes to trial, it is essential to have an attorney that has trial experience and is familiar with the jury selection process. There are many very specific traits that a successful sex crimes attorney looks for in a juror. Your attorney should be experienced enough to recognize and select the appropriate jurors for your case.
Contact the Sex Crimes Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today
Hiring the right sex crimes defense law firm is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. Your freedom is on the line, so you need to know that you are in capable hands. At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled attorneys have been successfully defending our clients facing sex crime charges for over 30 years. We’ve helped thousands of clients in their time of legal need, and we can help you now.
With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich attorney available to help you no matter where you work or live.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
